Lampard, a central part of the Roman Abramovich SW6 glory era, said: "Talks about one-year extension, two-year extension don't exist - because at the minute nothing has been said and as far as I know nothing is planned.

"The ball is in Chelsea's court.

"I'm a Chelsea player as simple as that. I've had a great, great time here. But maybe things don't last forever. Although I want it to last forever you have to be big enough to know what it is.

"I feel like I've had a good year particularly from where we were in February, and playing what I like to think was a big part. Like Didier Drogba, we were both players who came back in and made a difference.

"But I'm not the kind of player to see out my time and sit with my bum on the bench too much. I want to be involved. That's my character."

Lampard has been linked with possible moves to the USA or China but, days after reports he is a shock target for Arsenal, hinted that he believes he still has a future in the Premier League.

The 34-year-old has not started a match for Chelsea since aggravating a calf problem in the costly Champions League defeat at Shakhtar Donetsk in October.

Declining to criticise the supporters, who again made clear their antagonism towards Benitez - "Chelsea is the fans; You have to respect how they feel" - he added: "People say when you are older you shouldn't play so many games but there is another argument saying if you don't play so many games then when you come in and it's more difficult.

"You need some sort of regularity to playing. Any player will tell you that. It's why Paul Scholes retired at one point.

"He felt that he was sitting on the bench, and as he got older, he found it more difficult to sit there and be expected to come on and turn it straight on.

"I feel like I have two or three years at least in me at the top level. I am determined to play a few more years and see what pans out in the near future.